Shining in the morning light, the gilded splendor of
its paneling and big dome and small minarets, is the Sri Harmandir Sahib,
also known as Sri Darbar Sahib or Golden Temple, situated in Amritsar,
Punjab, the most sacred temple for Sikhs. The Temple's exterior is
gold-plated and the structure stands in the middle of a square tank.
History
Guru Arjan Sahib, the fifth Nanak, conceived the idea of creating a central
place of worship for the Sikhs and he himself designed the architecture of
Sri Harmandir Sahib. Earlier the planning to excavate the holy tank
(Amritsar or Amrit Sarovar ) was chalked out by Guru Amardas Sahib, the
Third Nanak, but it was executed by Guru Ramdas Sahib under the supervision
of Baba Budha ji.
The land for the site was acquired by the earlier Guru Sahibs on payment or
free of cost from the Zamindars (landlords) of native villages. The plan to
establish a town settlement was also made. Therefore, the construction work
on the Sarovar (the tank) and the town started simultaneously in 1570. The
work on both projects completed in 1577 AD
Guru Arjan Sahib got its foundation laid by a muslim saint Hazrat Mian Mir
ji of Lahore on 1st of Magh, 1644 Bikrmi Samvat (December,1588). The
construction work was directly supervised by Guru Arjan Sahib himself and he
was assisted by the prominent Sikh personalities like Baba Budha ji, Bhai
Gurdas ji, Bhai Sahlo ji and many other devoted Sikhs.
Architecture
Sri Harmandir Sahib, is built on a 67ft. square platform in the centre of
the Sarovar(tank). The temple itself is 40.5ft. square. It has a door each
on the East, West, North and South. The Darshani Deori (an arch) stands at
the shore end of the causeway. The door frame of the arch is about 10ft in
height and 8ft 6inches in breath. The door panes are decorated with artistic
style. It opens on to the causeway or bridge that leads to the main building
of Sri Harmandir Sahib. It is 202 feet in length and 21 feet in width.
The bridge is connected with the 13 feet wide 'Pardakshna'
(circumambulatory path). It runs round the main shrine and it leads to the
'Har ki Paure' (steps of God). On the first floor of 'Har ki Paure', there
is continuous reading of Guru Granth Sahib.
The main structure of Sri Harmandir Sahib, functionally as well as
technically is a three-storied one. The front, which faces the bridge, is
decorated with repeated cusped arches and the roof of the first floor is at
the height of the 26 feet and 9 inches.
Its architecture represents a unique harmony between the Muslims and the
Hindus way of construction work and this is considered the best
architectural specimens of the world.
Best Time To Visit
October to January are good times to visit, when the temperatures are
cooler and more comfortable.
